Louisbourg Fortress

The Louisbourg historic site has an impressively recreated 18th-century French
fortress (see photo) and old town.

Louisbourg
tips and insights

French colony days

During that period, Louisbourg was a cod fishing, salting and preserving center -
and a major seaport for trade with Europe, New England and the Caribbean.

Today

The recreated Louisbourg takes you back to 1744, a year before the British captured
it from the French. That battle eventually helped the British gain control from
the French of what is today eastern Canada.

Reconstruction

It began in 1961 and took over a decade to reach a substantive
completion stage. Archaeological work continues today. The reconstruction
deserves praise for its attention to authenticity. The architects and interior
designers relied heavily on archaeological artifacts and historical
documents.

A complex
of buildings

Louisbourg old town has dozens of buildings of various purposes, including
homes, stores and workshops. They are open from spring to fall.